21: Another One?

The next few weeks brought in November. Lexi was now really busy between school work and practices. Though she was seeing Sirius more they had to be more careful because they were with James so often. Lexi had blown up at the boys in the common room the night Remus came back from the Hospital. They had felt like they got their point across even though they said they weren't going to stop. The topic was rarely brought up as the girls would sigh heavily. Currently they were all sitting around the common room studying. Snow was falling outside the window as they studied in the common room.

"I swear, if you huff one more time, James Potter," Lily broke the quiet. Lexi smirked while Sirius and Remus laughed.

"We've been studying since class ended. Dinner is soon," he groaned. "Can't we do something fun," he smirked at her ruffling his hair. Lily rolled her eyes.

"Go on and do something fun, Lil," Lexi laughed as Lily closed her book and left with James.

"She's going to hex you," Remus laughed as well.

"No she won't," Lexi grinned.

"Anyone seen Wormtail," Sirius asked, rolling up his parchment and packing his things away.

"It's still strange knowing that's his name because he's a rat," Lexi whispered, gaining smirks from the two.

"Not since Herbology this morning actually," Remus said, sounding concerned as he checked his watch. "I'm going to do a few rounds before dinner. Hopefully I can find him," Remus sighed standing after packing his own things. "You two behave," he winked before he left.

"Alone," Sirius grinned at Lexi.

"Well…" she trailed off, gesturing to the other students around the common room.

"We could always go somewhere or not," he winked.

"We were just alone during lunch thanks to Lily and Rem," she giggled. They had distracted James enough for the two to escape. Once they found a broom closet they had jumped each other.

"And it keeps replaying in my head."

"I don't see why."

"Trust me, Lex. You're all I think about," he dropped his voice and squeezed her leg under the table. She smiled at him.

"So, practice tomorrow," she changed the subject leaning back in her chair.

"Of course. Next game is in a few days," he sighed leaning back a grin playing on his lips.

"Ravenclaw looked good in their match against Hufflepuff," Lexi commented, crossing her arms.

"We'll stomp them."

"Can you behave yourself against Filroy," she smirked as she played with her necklace.

"I'll behave if he does," Sirius laughed. He watched her stare out the window while she played with her necklace. The necklace he gave her for her birthday. She always wore it. The sun was setting and the clouds looked almost pink as snow began to dust the grounds. The light made her face shine warmly. "We should get to dinner," he finally said standing. She stood as well and they began walking to the Great Hall.

"Sirius," she said softly.

"You okay Lex," he asked looking over at her.

"Yeah, just," she stopped walking, "don't think I don't want people to know." He stopped and looked at her slightly shocked. He grabbed her hand and pulled her off to an empty corridor.

"Love, I don't think that," he finally said when they were away from anyone.

"Swear?"

"I swear. Now c'mon. I'm sure Evans is waiting for us to rescue her from Prongs," he smiled and kissed her forehead.

When they reached the Great Hall Lily and James were already at the table sitting across from each other. Lexi went to sit by Lily, Sirius by James.

"So what fun did you two find," Lexi asked with a grin.

"We walked here," James mumbled lamely, making Lexi and Sirius laugh.

"Has to be better than studying though," Sirius teased. Remus then joined them.

"Did you find Peter," Lexi asked as he sat next to the boys.

"Yeah, he's in the hospital wing."

"What," they gasped in unison.

"Some Slytherins had hexed him on his way to Care of Magical Creatures this morning," Remus sighed. "It was pretty nasty."

"Who was it," Sirius snapped.

"Who do you think," Remus gritted. "Snape, Avery, and Nott."

"I'm going to get those Pricks," James started to stand but Remus pulled him back down.

"Not here," Lexi hissed. Sirius and James glared over at the Slytherin table.

"Slimy git," Sirius gritted.

"You can't do anything right now so just leave it," Lexi rolled her eyes.

"You shouldn't do anything at all," Lily chidded giving Lexi a look.

"C'mon, Lil, he called you a you-know-what. You have to stop defending him eventually," Lexi exasperated.

"I'm a Prefect. I don't condone students breaking rules," Lily sighed a slight smile tugging her lips. "So make sure I'm not around."

"That's more like it, Evans," Sirius grinned. Dinner continued with normal conversation. Lexi and Sirius kept stealing glances and smiles at each other. Finally the group of five made their way back to the common room. Lexi and Lily both ran off to their dorm once they were back. The boys didn't see them the rest of the night.

XXXXXXX

Lexi woke up early the next morning hoping Sirius had done the same. She dressed in her uniform quickly before grabbing her bag and running down the stairs. When she got to the common room she saw him sitting on the couch by the fire. She walked over behind him and leaned down running her hands down his chest and kissing his neck.

"Good morning," she purred into his ear.

"Good morning, Red," he smiled and kissed her. She moved around the couch and he pulled her into his lap. "Where did you and Evans run off for last night?"

"We needed to talk," Lexi smirked.

"About?"

"A few things. Stop being nosey," she poked the tip of his nose with her finger.

"Never," he winked. She looked up at him and kissed him softly. "I enjoy kissing you, possibly too much."

"Mm, I have the same problem," she smirked before kissing him again.

"I never in a million years thought I'd be this lucky," he murmured into her hair as he held her. They heard footsteps coming down the stairs and Lexi quickly slid off his lap to sit next to him on the couch. Her skirt had shifted quite high from the movement and Sirius smirked at her as he lightly touched her bare thigh. She giggled and readjusted her skirt in time for a few other students to come down to the common room. They sat and talked for a while ignoring a few looks and whispers which often happened when they were alone, especially since she was the only female he had been seen spending time alone with this year. Soon James and Remus made their way down into the common room.

"What are you two doing up so early," Remus grinned slyly.

"It wasn't planned, Rem," Lexi rolled her eyes, still smiling.

"There were other students down here luckily so you two couldn't-" James started in.

"Bloody hell, Jamie," Lexi groaned. "Not like you've ever run around shagging wherever you can," she snapped before shouldering her bag and leaving the common room angrily.

"Nice, move Prongs," Sirius chuckled at the blush that was now on James' cheeks.

"Is Lexi down here? She was already up," Lily's voice came as she joined them.

"She was," Remus laughed.

"What did you do, Potter," Lily rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"Why do you assume it was me? It's normally Padfoot," James asked slightly frustrated as they began to leave the common room as well.

"Not lately," Lily muttered with a sly look to Sirius, who beamed back at her. They made their way down the staircase to the Great Hall. More of the castle was waking up and more students started making their way as well.

"Yeah why is that, Padfoot," James stopped walking and the others did too after a few more steps.

"Prongs, it's nothing," Sirius sighed, running his hand through his hair. "We've just agreed to put our differences aside. Like you and Evans," he shrugged and took a step.

"Did you two shag," James narrowed his eyes.

"We'll that's our cue, see you at breakfast," Remus sighed pulling Lily along with him.

"No, Prongs," Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Then what? You two have been really close," James eyed him suspiciously.

"We're just friends. We bonded over music, we have more in common than either of us were willing to admit before. Our best friends have crushes on each other so since they have decided to be friendly we might as well," Sirius laughed.

"You like her," James crossed his arms.

"You like Evans, have you made a move," Sirius raised his eyebrows. James finally sighed and dropped his arms.

"I guess I'm overreacting, huh?"

"Prongs," Sirius' grin was firmly in place. "You just care about her. You're her big brother.

"Hopefully she sees it that way," James ruffled his hair.

"She does, she's just stubborn," Sirius chuckled

"I'm going to have to apologize," James groaned as they continued walking.

"That's how it works," Sirius chuckled and clapped his shoulder grinning as they entered the Great Hall. James took his seat next to Lily and gave Lexi a weak smile.

"What took you two so long," Lexi eyed them.

"I'm sorry, Lex," James said meekly.

"Ah, that's what," she said and gave him a small grin.

XXXXXX

The next match had come and went with Gryffindor winning. Much to the teams dismay this put James on a war path in training. He was determined for them to not slip in their standing for the Cup. Lexi was flying around the pitch dodging bludgers and the chasers as practice wore on a week later. She had seen the snitch hovering next to James as he watched Wright and Harding practice a few passes. She zip by next to him and grabbed it. He had to hold on to his broom to not fall off. James blew his whistle signalling the end of practice. Lexi landed with the rest of the team and they made their way to the locker room.

"Oi, Lex what the hell was that," James laughed.

"It was getting too cold. Plus, the snitch was next to you, you were in my way," she shrugged with a smirk. Sirius and the others laughed.

"Try not to kill your own team members," he rolled his eyes.

"If I had wanted to knock you off your broom I would have," she winked as she put her broom away.

"You saw her and Reg and Graves from Ravenclaw," Sirius laughed.

"So Garrett, Black says you've got a record deal with MMR," Lloyd cut in.

"Yeah, supposed to hear about a release date during Holiday," she was smiling.

"So you do more stuff like you did in Hogsmeade or like when you two play at the parties," Wright asked.

"Good mixture. I'm leaning more towards what I did in Hogsmeade."

"Do more stuff like that at the parties," Harding smirked.

"I'll consider it," she smirked. Sirius shut his locker a little harder than usual as the others laughed and left. James, Sirius, and Lexi were the only ones left.

"Good practice," James smirked at them.

"We know," they smirked back in unison.

"I'm maybe thinking you two around each other more is dangerous," James chuckled.

"Like you and Lily aren't," Sirius laughed as they began making their way back to the castle.

"Hey, we balance each other."

"Is that what you call it," Lexi said slyly. "I would have called it you acting like a puppy." Sirius let out a barking laugh and high fived her while James looked offended.

"I'm not acting like a puppy," he grumbled as they began walking.

"Oh come off it, Jamie, it's a joke," she giggled, shoving him slightly.

"We know you're just madly in love," Sirius teased. The two laughed again as James blushed. When they finally made it to dinner Lily, Remus, and Peter were talking in hushed voices over the Evening Prophet.

"What's goin on," Sirius asked as they sat.

"Another attack," Remus said, handing them the paper.

"Hold on, that's not far from home," Lexi said suddenly.

"Finchingfield, about an hour south on a broom," James said shakily.

"Blimey, twelve muggles killed. Three Aurors too," Sirius muttered.

"No," Lexi gasped seeing the picture. "That's it. That's what I saw," Lexi pointed at the skull with a snake emerging from its mouth that was over the street in the picture. Their jaws dropped.

"They are saying it's You-know-who's calling card. His followers just left it for the first time," Lily shuddered visibly.

"Dumbledore isn't here," Lexi whispered looking up to the head table.

"Do you think he's with the Minister," James asked quietly.

"I don't doubt it," she sighed looking back to the paper as she began to eat. The conversation continued as they ate. Lexi stayed quiet as the others threw out their thoughts on the attacks and You-know-who. Sirius watched her as she ate quietly. Her brow was furrowed as her eyes stayed glued to the paper.

"You alright," he whispered to her, making her jump slightly.

"Huh, yeah, fine," she muttered absently before folding the paper over so she could no longer see the article.

"Lex," he kept his voice quiet, but his tone was serious as he looked at her earnestly. She looked up at him with a smile he knew was fake.

"I'm fine," she kept the fake smile plastered to her face.

"You can't lie to me, Red," he raised an eyebrow at her.

"We'll talk later," she finally sighed. "Rem did you get that Astronomy chart finished?"

"Yeah why," he chuckled, turning to her.

"I can't quite get Saturn's position for next week," Sirius watched her cautiously as they continued talking about the assignment. Soon Lily joined them. Sirius looked over at James and noticed the worry etched on his face.

"I'm sure everything is fine," Sirius said to him. James looked over.

"We haven't heard from them lately," James said quietly, his eyes flicking to Lexi. "Plus it's so close to the anniversary."

"They could be busy helping with everything going on," Sirius offered.

"That's what is worrying me. They'd go to Finchingfield to eat at a cafe..." James trailed off pushing the food around on his plate.

"The paper didn't report anyone other than the muggles and Aurors. Besides I'm sure if something had happened you would have been told by now. That attack happened in the middle of the day."

"What about-" his eyes flicked to Lexi. She had barely had dreams lately. Dumbledore's new theory was that Voldemort was blocking her as much as possible.

"Dumbledore isn't worried about it."

"You're right," James sighed, giving a half hearted smile. "Thanks, Padfoot."

"Anytime, Prongs," Sirius smirked. He squeezed Lexi's leg under the table. She glanced at him amid her conversation and gave a very slight nod.

"I think I'm going to go," Lexi sighed as her conversation with Remus and Lily ended.

"I'll go with you," Sirius offered cooly.

"I can come too," James started to stand too.

"Don't worry Jamie, I'm fine. Black will watch out for me," Lexi smirked as they stood.

"Yeah ok," he muttered. Lexi and Sirius smiled and began to walk away.

"So he still doesn't know," she looked at him slightly incredulously as they began walking through the halls.

"I don't think you give him enough credit sometimes," he chuckled. "He knows something is up."

"If he would just leave his nose out I would tell him," she grinned slightly.

"I get it," Sirius chuckled. "So, what's on your mind, Red?"

"I'm worried about Aunt and Uncle," she sighed, "and the lack of visions is starting to be more worrisome than having them." They were quiet for a moment. "I caught what you said to James. You are right. This just feels all too familiar," she finally trailed off. Sirius stopped her and pulled her into a tight hug.

"They would be proud of you," he said quietly.

"Sometimes I wonder how different things would be if they were still around."

"Do you think we'd still be right here?"

"I would hope so," she smiled up at him and kissed his lips gently. They held each other for a moment before either spoke again.

"Things are getting a little out of hand with these attacks. It's like he's getting stronger," Sirius finally said quietly. They began walking hand in hand through the empty corridors back to Gryffindor tower.

"Getting? They have been. When my parents were killed…"

"Did you and Dumbledore get the details figured out yet," he asked, changing the subject. She had been having scattered meetings with him.

"As much as we can. It's so strange, there is less information because I was so tunnel focused on what was happening to-," Lexi sighed frustratingly. She hadn't ever told him the details. Anytime he asked she would veer away from it. "Whatever it is, it sounds like a war is coming."

"If there is, I want in," Sirius' voice was strained. She looked at him sadly. She wasn't shocked by the statement.

"Swear to me you will get through school before putting yourself in it," she had stopped him and was staring into his eyes.

"Lex, if something happens before then-"

"Swear," her voice was demanding. They stared at each other for a moment.

"I swear," she stared into his eyes sternly before giving a satisfied nod. They continued walking again. "I think I can keep your mind off of it," he said suddenly with a smirk.

"Really," her lips twisted into their own smirk. "And how would you do that, Black?" He chuckled and began pulling her away from their path to the common room.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Christmas Holiday starts in two weeks," James said excitedly as they left Defense Against the Dark Arts just a few days after the last attack.

"Excited to get away from me, Potter," Lily teased.

"Never," he beamed. "But I'm excited to get away from this place for a bit." He looked around as the group walked.

"Besides, Lil, you're coming on Boxing Day," Lexi added, rolling her eyes. "You two won't be separated for long." Sirius and Remus laughed along with her as James and Lily blushed.

"You're staying here at school Rem," Lily changed the subject.

"As usual," Remus sighed warily.

"You all set for this month Moony," Sirius asked earnestly.

"Yeah, I'll be good," they looked at her worriedly.

"We've got a bit before dinner, up for a walk Lil," James smiled at her.

"We've got Patrol," she smiled at James before her and Remus split off from the group.

"Just the three of us," James grinned at them mischievously.

"Just the two of you actually," Lexi smirked.

"What," both young men said in unison.

"I'm off to work on some music, alone," she laughed. "You two have been clouding my creativity lately," she waved her hand back to them as she headed off to her dorm. It was empty as she expected. She unpacked her guitar and moved over to one of the window seats. She pulled out her journal and began working.

Sirius and James watched her head back towards the common room.

"Clouding her creativity, right," James rolled his eyes.

"She's been a bit busy lately. She hasn't worked on much," Sirius chuckled as they began wandering through the castle.

"I thought you two ran off-" he stopped looking a little queasy. "Never mind." Sirius let out a barking laugh.

"C'mon mate, I told you it's nothing like that," James gave him a suspicious look.

"Right," he muttered. "The two of you act like I don't know you. And you're "I'm not really interested in anyone this year" bollocks is just that, bollocks."

"Have you snogged Evans yet," Sirius tried changing the subject.

"It hasn't been right," James grumbled. "I was thinking about New Years. We kissed last year."

"Just don't put too much thought into it, Prongs. Just do it when it feels right," Sirius smirked at him.

"Yeah, I know," James sighed. "Want to go mess with the Slytherins?"

"Always," Sirius smirked and they headed off.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The group was sitting at breakfast a few days later as the mail came in. Kira, Elana Potter's owl landed in front of James and Lexi.

"I didn't think we'd be hearing from them until we saw them," Lexi said as James pulled the letter off. The owl flitted away once the letter was taken. Lexi leaned in to read the letter with James.

James, Lexi, and Sirius

Harold and I are so sorry to have to tell you both this so close to the holiday. We feel it's best and safer for you all to stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas break. We suggest that Lily stay at the school as well with the current event. Please talk to her about writing to her parents. We love you all very much and look forward to seeing you this summer. Write and behave.

All our Love,

Mum and Dad/ Elana and Harold

"Bloody hell," Lexi and James said in unison. They looked at each other.

"It's got to be-."

"You think they are-"

"Why else."

"Are you two going to share," Sirius asked as he and the others watched them back and forth.

"They want us to stay here instead of going home," Lexi said.

"What," Sirius and Lily exclaimed, taking the note and reading it as well.

"Well," Lily sighed, handing it back. "Looks like I need to write to my parents," she got up and left the table with a smile.

"Looks like we're with you for Christmas Moony," James grinned at his friend.

"I think this could be the best Christmas yet," Sirius smirked.

"No other Gryffindors are staying," Lexi grinned.

"I don't like your faces," Remus eyed the three warily.

"I should write to my parents too," Peter squeaked excitedly and took off.